Glassware forming machine



Dec. 14, 1965 5. E. ROWE 3,223,511

GLASSWARE FORMING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet l F'IG..I

, INVENTOR GEORGE E- ROWE im, IZ MAM+ AM,

ATTOR N EY S Dec. 14, 1965 e. E. ROWE GLASSWARE FORMING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 16, 1961 INVENTOR GEORGE E- ROWE BYJZMWZMIMZM ATTORNEYS Dec. 14, 1965 s. E. ROWE GLASSWARE FORMING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 16, 1961 FIG 5 INVENTOR GEORGE E ROWE fm 4 Mw,/m

ATTORNEYS Dec. 14, 1965 G. E. ROWE GLASSWARE FORMING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed y 16, 1961 w mvTm s of .N s m a 6mm md 5% a Dec. 14, 1965 e. E. ROWE GLASSWARE FORMING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 16, 1961 w QUE E m w s R0 Y 0 W E o E T v T m A R: E G

M Y s Dec. 14, 1965 Row 3,223,511

GLAS SWARE FORMING MACHINE ATTORNEYS 1965 ca. E. ROWE 3,223,511

GLASSWARE FORMING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Dec. 14, 1965 G. E. ROWE 3,223,511

GLASSWARE FORMING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Rm mm www United States Patent Ofiice 3,223,511 Patented Dec. 14, 1965 3,223,511 GLASSWARE FGRMING MACHINE George E. Rowe, Wetiiersfield, Conn, assignor to Emhart Corporation, a corporation of Connecticut Filed May 16, 1961, Ser. No. 110,461 14 Claims. (Cl. 65-240) This invention relates to improvements in the art of glass making and, more particularly, to an improved glassware forming machine of the type wherein a gob of molten glass is initially formed by a pressing operation into a parison at one distinct station and is then transferred to a second distinct station and given a final form by blowing.

As will be more fully described hereinafter, the pressing and blowing stations of the machine of this invention are spaced apart horizontally, but they are located in about the same horizontal plane with the pressing station rearwardly of the blowing station. The machine features substantially straight-line horizontal forward movement of the parison from the pressing station to the blowing station and then substantially straight-line forward movement of the finished ware from the blowing station.

As will be seen, the machine is preferably adapted to press and to blow two parisons simultaneously. In keeping therewith, there are two one-piece blank molds associated with a pair of pressing plungers at the rearward station, the said blank molds and pressing plungers being relatively vertically movable so that the plungers may be received within the blank molds. Further, there are two blow molds at the forward station which are preferably of the two-piece separable type, the halves of the separable blow molds being respectively carried on a pair of horizontal arms which extend forwardly on opposite sides of the two blank molds and which pivot about an axis rearwardly of the said blank molds. The two blank molds are spaced apart along the horizontal forwardly extending center line of the machine and so are the two blow molds at the forward or blowing station.

In addition, there are two double neck ring units each of which is adapted to support a pair of parisons at the respective stations and to transfer them from the pressing station forwardly to the blowing station in tandem relationship. Each double neck ring unit can be opened and closed, and each is initially closed at the pressing or blank mold station to engage and grip two formed parisons. Each double neck ring unit then transfers the parisons forwardly to the blow station, and the separable blow molds are closed about the parisons so that they can be blown to final shape. After blowing, the neck n'ng unit releases the formed glassware and the unit -is then elevated and moved rearwardly to return to the pressing station.

The neck ring units are respectively supported from opposite sides of their forwardly and rearwardly extending path of movement, and the means supporting them are controlled for operation so that one unit will be positioned at each station simultaneously and then they are interchanged by simultaneous movement, the empty neck ring unit passing over the forwardly moving neck ring unit which is advancing a pair of parisons to the blowing station.

After each pair of parisons is blown to final shape,

and when the blow molds are opened and the associated neck ring is elevated, a take-out mechanism moves rearwardly over the formed glassware and two sets of tongs are lowered to engage the formed glassware pieces which are then moved forwardly by the take-out assembly and placed upon a take-away conveyor. I

From the foregoing general description, it will be seen that it is a general object of the invention to provide a press and blow type glassware forming machine which is capable of forming fine serviceable glassware at a high rate of production and which occupies little space considering its capacity for production and which is less complex as to mechanical form and movement and more foolproof in operation than are other generally comparable glassware forming machines. The more specific objects of the invention as well as advantages thereof will become apparent in the more detailed description of the machine.

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention and such embodiment will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction disclosed, and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings: 7

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the machine with the rear thereof shown to the right so that forward movement may be described as being from right to left;

FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are similar schematic views showing the blank and blow molds and the neck ring units in vertical section, the plane of the section being substantially along the forwardly extending center line of the machine. FIG. 2 shows two finished pieces of glassware which have just been removed from the open blow molds and it also shows one neck ring unit moving two parisons into position at the open blow mold while the other empty neck ring unit is returning to the blank molds which are lowered to receive two new gobs of glass for forming parisons. FIG. 3 shows the blank molds elevated or in position for pressing while the blow molds are closed for blowing. FIG. 4 shows parisons being formed in the blank molds while two pieces of glassware are being blown in the blow molds. FIG. 5 shows the formed glassware being removed from the blow molds while the parisons are being transferred from the blank molds.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top plan view of the two neck ring units employed in the machine;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the neck ring structure shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a further enlarged vertical cross-sectional View taken generally as indicated by the line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is another vertical cross-sectional view taken generally as indicated by the line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the blow mold arms and of the blank and blow molds and the mechanism for operating the blow mold arms;

FIG. 11 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view taken generally as indicated by the line 1111 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a still further enlarged vertical crosssectional view through one of the blow molds;

ends (see FIGS. 1 and 4).

FIG. 13 is an enlarged side elevational view, with parts shown in vertical cross-section, of the take-out mecha nism;

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the takeout mechanism taken generally as indicated by the line 1414 of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of the hydraulic and pneumatic system employed in the machine of this invention.

General construction The various elements of the improved glassware forming machine provided in accordance with the present invention are shown in FIG. 1 as supported in a Frame F which is generally similar to the frame of the Hartford IS Glassware Forming Machine which is shown in United States Patent No. 1,911,119. The said frame includes a base and a forwardly extending body or table portion 22 and an upwardly extending rear portion 24 which supports the chute means for directing the glass charges or gobs from an overhead-feed glass feeder. Support means 26 is located forwardly of the machine frame F and supports a conventional conveyor which is arranged to receive the finished glassware from the machine and to transport the glassware therefrom.

As has been mentioned, the machine of this invention is preferably adapted to press two parisons simultaneously at a pressing or blank mold station and to transport the parisons in tandem in a neck ring unit to a blow mold or blowing station for final shaping, and then to extract and remove the formed glassware articles in tandem from the blow molds. The vertical center line of the pressing or blank mold station is indicated at A in FIG. 1 and the vertical center line of the blowing or blow mold station is indicated at B. It should be under stood that the said center lines intersect the forwardly and rearwardly extending center line of the machine.

The apparatus operable at the pressing station A includes a pair of one-piece blank molds which are spaced apart with their centers on the forwardly extending center line of the machine and which are supported in and carried with a blank mold holder 28 (FIGS. 1-5, 10

and 11). The blank mold holder 28 is vertically movable at the pressing station A and it is moved up and down by means of a fluid motor such as the air cylinder and piston unit 30 shown in FIG. 1. The fluid motor 30 is a conventional reversible unit and it is controlled by means of a control drum 32.

The control drum 32 is like the drum shown in the previously mentioned patent on the IS machine and it is rotatably supported in the frame F on a shaft 34 which is driven by a motor (not shown). A plurality of dogs 36, 36 are circumaxially adjustably supported in longitudinally spaced apart relationship on the drum 32 to engage and operate control devices such as valves controlling fluid flow to and from the fluid motor 30 and all of the other fluid motors incorporated in the machine. It is by means of the control drum 32 and the critically located dogs 36, 36 that all of the operating mechanisms of the machine are controlled to operate in timed relationship with each other. It is thought to be unnecessary to show the various fluid conduit connections, valves and other control devices in detail, because the specific arrangement and form of these elements are not part of the present invention. FIG. 15 shows the arrangement of these elements schematically.

In addition to the blank mold unit, there is a press head unit indicated generally by the reference numeral 38 located at the pressing station A. The press head unit 38 comprises a pair of fluid motors 40, 40 which are preferably hydraulic cylinder and piston devices having downwardly extending piston rods 42, 42 (FIG. 4) which carry parison forming plunger tips 44, 44 at their respective As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 11, the press head plunger tips are to be moved vertically downwardly into the one-piece blank molds 46, 46 which are supported in the blank mold holder 28.

The use of press head plungers movable into blank molds to form parisons from charges of molten glass is well known. As illustrated by FIGS. 24, a charge or gob of molten glass G is deposited in each blank mold 46 while the plungers 44, 44 are elevated. Then, the plungers 44, 44 are moved downwardly simultaneously into the said blank molds and they press the glass G therein into the desired shape of the parisons P, P which are to be formed. Each plunger 44 enters its associated blank mold 46 through a neck ring which will be described in more detail hereinafter and which is adapted to engage and grip the open upper end of each parison formed in a blank mold.

As shown in FIG. 1, the means for directing the glass charges to the blank molds from an overhead glass feeder comprises a pair of multi-section chutes 50, 50. One section of each chute is adjustable by means indicated generally at 52. Further, the bottom section 54 of each chute 50 is supported on means adapted to swing both bottom sections 54, 54 into and out of position over their associated blank molds 46, 46. That is, the bottom sections 54, 54 are arranged to be positioned over the blank molds 46, 46 only when the press head plungers 44, 44 are elevated and the blank mold holder 28 is down as shown in FIG. 2. In this position of the said bottom sections of the chutes, the glass charges or gobs G, G are directed into the blank molds. At all other times, the chute sections 54, 54 are swung rearwardly to the position shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5.

The means supporting the lower sections 54, 54 of the glass feeding chutes for swinging movement into and out of position over the blank or pressing molds comprises an adjustable bracket 56 which is connected with a gear segment 58 for pivoting movement therewith. The segment 58 is supported on a shaft 60 extending transversely of the machine, and the teeth of the segment are engaged by a rack formed on the end of a piston rod 62 forming a part of a fluid motor 64 which is preferably of the aircylinder piston type. Operation of the fluid motor 64 is controlled by rotation of the control or timing drum 32 so that the chute sections 54, 54 will be swung into position over the blank mold only when the blank mold carrier 28 is down and while the press head 38 is elevated.

As will be more fully described hereinafter, the press head plungers 44, 44 are extended through neck rings in a double neck ring unit 66a (FIGS. 35) into the blank molds 46, 46 to form the parisons P, P from the glass gobs or charges G, G. At the same time, a similar double neck ring unit 66b is located at the blowing station E with a pair of previously formed parisons P, P which are to be blown into the final desired shape of the glassware.

In accord with the present invention, parisons are formed at the pressing station A while previously formed parisons are blown to final shape at the blowing station 13, and then the double neck ring units 66a and 66b are interchanged, the double neck ring unit 66a being transferred to the blowing station B with a pair of parisons and the double neck ring unit 66b being transferred empty to the pressing station A.

As shown in FIG. 6, the double neck ring unit 66a is supported for movement forwardly and rearwardly between the stations A and B from the right-hand side of the path of movement, and the double neck ring unit 66b is supported from the left-hand side for similar movement. The support means for the double neck ring unit 66a includes a neck ring opening and closing mechanism indicated generally at 68a and a neck ring transfer mechanism indicated generally at 70a. A similar neck ring opening and mechanism 68b and transfer mech anism 7015 are provided for the double neck ring unit 66b as will be more fully described hereinafterinconnection with FIGS. 6-9.

As has been mentioned, when the parisons P, P reach the blowing station B they are inserted within the separable molds of a double blow mold unit indicated generally at 72 (FIG. 1). The double blow mold unit 72 is separable into halves in a vertical plane extending substantially along the longitudinal center line of the machine. Thus, the blow mold unit is made up of a righthand half 74a and a left-hand half 74b (FIG. which when engaged cooperate with a pair of vertically reciprocable bottom plates 76, 76 (FIGS. 2-5) to define the blow mold cavities 78, 78 which receive the parisons P, P, as will be more fully described hereinafter. The blow mold halves 74a and 74b have pins 75, 75 thereon for locating the neck ring units in proper position on the blow molds for the blowing of finished glassware from the parisons P, P.

A blow head indicated generally at 80 (FIG. 1) is located over the blowing station B and it includes a fluid motor 82 for vertically reciprocating a pair of blow nozzles 84, 84. The fluid motor 82 preferably comprises an air cylinder and piston having a piston rod 86 which is hollow and extends downwardly to support and provide air passage means for the blow nozzles 84, 84. By reciprocating the piston rod 86, the air nozzles 84, 84 can be inserted through either neck ring unit located at the station B into the respective blow mold cavities 73, 78 to blow the parisons P, P into the final shape defined by the said cavities.

After the parisons have been blown to the final shape of the glassware articles, the blow nozzles 84, 84 are elevated and the halves of the doubles blow mold unit 72 are separated and the double neck ring unit at the blow mold station is opened to disengage the glassware articles and it is elevated. Then, a glassware take-out mechanism 88 is operated to move rearwardly from the position shown in FIG. 1 to a position over the blow mold station so that it can engage the articles of glassware which are then being supported solely upon the bottom plates 76, 76 which are associated with the blow mold unit 72. After the take-out mechanism engages and grips the articles of glassware, it is returned to its forward position to place the glassware articles W, W on the take-away conveyor which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 90. The take-out mechanism 88 will be described hereinafter in connection with the follow ing more detailed description of the machine components.

The blank mold structure and its operating mechanism As best shown in FIG. 10, the blank mold holder 28 supports the blank molds 46, 46 in tandem spaced apart relationship substantially along the center line of the machine and rearwardly of the double blow mold unit 72. As was previously mentioned, the blank mold holder is reciprocated vertically by means of a fluid motor 30, and this fluid motor has a piston rod 100 (FIG. 11) which extends upwardly through the top of the table or cabinet portion 22 of the machine frame F.

When the blank mold holder 28 and the blank molds are elevated to the position shown in FIG. 11, the holdor is locked or supported in the elevated position to withstand the load and shock imposed upon the blank molds 46, 46 by the press head 38 which is lowered into engagement therewith to form the parisons. The preferred support means comprises a pair of supporting plates or anvils 102, 102 which are respectively movable from the left and right-hand sides of the blank mold holder 28 along a horizontally disposed base plate 104 to engage a cross-head 196 which is connected to the bottom of the blank mold holder and to the top of the piston rod 100. The left and right-hand longitudinal edges of the crosshead 106 are tapered so as to be engaged by complementary edges on the said plates 102, 102 whereby the blank mold holder 28 is supported in its elevated position.

The means applying the supporting force preferably comprise a pair of air cylinder and piston units 108, 108 respectively associated with the plates 102, 102 and which are respectively supported at the left and right-hand sides of the frame F on vertically extending frame posts 110, 110 projecting upwardly to support the press head 38. A valve unit 112 is associated with one air cylinder 108 and is operable thereby when the anvils 102, 102 are in position to permit air under pressure to flow and control operation of the press head 38 to press parisons. The function of the said valve will be described more fully later.

Obviously, a substantial force is applied by the press head 38 in thrusting the plungers 44, 44 into the blank molds 46, 46 to form parisons as shown in FIG. 4 from the glass charges G, G. It should also be obvious that high temperature conditions exist at the blank molds due to the heated molten glass and the high pressure encountered. It is desirable to effect cooling at the blank molds and this is accomplished in part by introducing air into the plungers 44, 44 through the hollow press head piston rods 40. Additional external cooling is accomplished by introducing air into the blank mold holder 28 so that it can circulate around the blank molds 46, 46. In the embodiment of the machine shown, this is accomplished by forcing air from the frame cabinet 22 into and through a pair of blow mold support arms 114, 114 (FIGS. 10 and 11) as will be described in more detail hereinafter. As shown in FIG. 10, the blow mold arms 114, 114 extend along the respective sides of the blow mold holder 28 adjacent the bottom thereof, and as shown in FIG. 11, they are provided with a plurality of appropriate ports 116, 116 communicating with ports in the blank mold holder 28. Thus, air can be introduced near the bottom of the blank mold holder 28 and be expelled at the top thereof after passing and cooling the blank molds 46, 46.

The double neck ring units and their operating mechanisms As best shown in FIGS. 2-5, each double neck ring unit 66a or 66!) comprises a pair of one-piece inner rings 120, 120 each of which has an annular flange 122 received in a groove provided in a split ring 124 which is separable substantially in the vertical plane of the center line of the machine. Thus, the solid inner ring 120 floats within and is supported by the surrounding split ring 124. When a neck ring unit is positioned over the blank molds 46, 46, the press head plungers 44, 44 are inserted through the one-piece inner rings 120, 120 to force the glass charge upwardly in each one-piece blank mold so that the charge will engage the bottom of the associated inner ring 120 which forms the upper edge of the parisons. The split ring 124 surrounding each solid ring 120 is provided with an appropriate annular groove 126 on its inner face to reecive the thread or lip formed on the parison adjacent its top edge and it is by this means that the formed parison is supported by the neck ring.

The mechanisms for opening and for closing and clamping the split rings 124, 124 of the double neck ring units 66a and 66b are shown in FIG. 6 where they are designated generally by the references 68a and 68b. These mechanisms are identical except that one is arranged along the left-hand side of the machine and the other is arranged along the right-hand side thereof, so that the description of one should be taken as an accurate description of both. Referring to the mechanism 631;, it will be seen that the halves of the split rings 124, 124 are supported on an inside mount or bracket 128 and a generally similar outside bracket 130. The inside bracket 128 is connected by an arm 132 to a transversely movable slide 134 and the outside bracket is also connected to a transversely movable slide 136. The slides 134 and 136 are movable transversely over a longitudinally extending base plate 138 which is movable longitudinally as will be described. A .pair of springs 140, 140 are connected between the said base plate and the respective slides so as to bias the slide 134 transversely outwardly and the slide 136 transversely inwardly of the machine. This relative movement of the slides and the neck ring brackets 128 and 130 moves the said brackets toward each other from the broken line position shown in FIG. 6 to the engaged or closed position of the neck ring unit.

While spring force is relied upon to clamp the said double neck ring unit in closed position, a fluid motor 142, preferably an air cylinder having a piston rod 144 which is connected as by a link 146 to a double acting or T-shaped bell crank 148, is used to open it. More specifically, the T-shaped bell crank 148 is pivoted at 150 and has arms 152, 152 which are connected at their ends by links 153, 153 to the slides 134 and 136 respectively. The third arm 154 of the bell crank is connected to the link 146 so that when the piston rod 144 is retracted by the air cylinder of the fluid motor 142, the bell crank 148 is pivoted counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 6 to apply opening force on the double neck ring unit 66b. Operation of the fluid motor 142 to open the neck ring unit is controlled in timed sequence to the other operations of the machine by means of the control drum 32.

The mechanisms 70a and 70b (FIG. 6) for respectively moving the double neck ring units 66a and 66b between the blank and blow mold stations A and B and for interchanging them are identical except that the mechanism 70:: is located adjacent the right-hand side of the machine while the mechanism 70b is located along the lefthand side of the machine as viewed facing forwardly thereof. Here again, the description of one such mechanism will suflice for both.

Referring to the mechanism 70b, it comprises means for moving the double neck ring unit 66b substantially horizontally forwardly from the blank mold station A to the blow mold station B and thereafter upwardly and then rearwardly and downwadly to return to the blank mold station. More specifically, and as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the base plate 138 which supports the neck ring unit 66b and its opening and closing mechanism has an elongated longitudinally extending rack secured to its bottom face to project downwardly from between a pair of longitudinally extending guide plates 160, 160. The said guide plates are supported horizontally over an hydraulic cylinder 162 having a forwardly projecting piston rod 164 which rotatably supports a pinion 166 at its front end. This pinion 166 engages the baseplate rack 158 and it also engages a longitudinally forwardly extending rack 168 which is supported in a bracket 170. The arrangement is such that the pinion 166, when moved forwardly by the hydraulic cylinder and piston over the bottom .rack 168, thrusts the top rack 158 and the neck ring unit base plate 138 forwardly a greater distance. The bracket 170 which supports the bottom rack 168 is connected to a shaft 172 supported in the frame of the machine for .pivoting movement about a transverse axis. The bracket and the neck ring transfer mechanism are normally supported in a horizontal position by means of an arm 174 on the said bracket engaging a piston rod 176 on a fluid motor 178. That is, the fluid motor 178 normally positions its piston rod 176 to retain the bracket and associated parts in a horizontal position, but the said fluid motor can be actuated to tilt the bracket and the mechanism to the broken line positions shown in FIG. 7.

As has been mentioned, the movement of either neck ring unit forwardly from the'blank mold station A to the blow mold station B is substantially horizontal. In making such movement, either double neck ring unit carries with it in tandem relationship a pair of parisons P, P which have been pressed at the pressing station A. -At this time, the blow mold halves 74a and 74b are sepa- -'rated to accommodate movement of the formed parisons supported by the neck ring unit into position where they can be received by the blow molds as shown in FIG. 3. However, in order to avoid scraping and wear of the neck ring units along the top of the separated halves 74a and 74b of the double blow mold unit, each neck ring unit is elevated slightly from the horizontal as it is moved forwardly. The means to accomplish this slight elevation is shown in FIG. 7 and it comprises a fluid motor unit 180. The said fluid motor unit is preferably an air cylinder having a vertically upwardly projecting reciprocable piston 182 which engages one of the guide plates 160, 160. By thrusting the piston rod 182 upwardly, a relatively short distance in timed relationship to forward movement of the double neck ring unit as controlled by the control drum 32, the double neck ring unit avoids engagement with the top of blow mold unit 72 until its forward travel has been completed. Upon completion of forward travel, the force urging the piston rod 182 upwardly is released and the double neck ring unit is permitted to rest upon the top of the double blow mold unit 72. The purpose of a valve 188 operated by a plunger 186 engageable by the neck ring unit when it is down will be described Iater.

The blow mold mechanism As has been mentioned, the halves 74a and 74b of the double blow mold unit are respectively supported on right-hand and left-hand arms 114, 114 which extend horizonally forwardly along the opposite sides of the blank mold holder 28. As best shown in FIG. 10, the rearward ends of the arms 114, 114 are provided with angular extensions 1913, 190 which are pivotally supported on a vertical post 192 located substantially on the longitudinal center line of the machine rearwardly of the blank mold station A. The arms 114, 114 are moved inwardly and outwardly respectively to close and to open the blow molds by means of a pair of cranks 194, 194 which are connected to said arms by links 196, 196 and which are also connected to pivot shafts 198, 198. It will be observed that there are two pivot shafts provided, one on each side of the machine, and it will be understood that they are operated substantially simultaneously in opposite rotative directions by means not shown in detail. Such means may be a fluid motor 200 (FIG. 15) comprising an air cylinder and piston and which is controlled by the timing drum 32 to operate in one direction and in an opposite direction. When operated in the said one direction, means associated with the fluid motor 200, such as rack and pinion means, may pivot the lefthand pivot shaft 1'98 and crank 194 counterclockwise while pivoting the right-hand shaft and its associated crank clockwise (as viewed in FIG. l0) to open the double blow mold unit. This movement positions the blow mold halves 74a and 74b and the associated arms 114, 114 and parts 190, 190 as shown by the broken lines. When the fluid motor 200 is operated in the other direction, the said elements resume the full-line position of FIG. 10 wherein the blow mold halves are engaged and closed.

When the blow mold halves 74a and 74b are closed, they engage an annular sloping surface 202 on each of the bottom plates 76, 76 which are associated with the blow mold halves to define the respective blow mold cavities 78, 78. It will be observed in FIG. 12 that the sloping annular surface 202 on each bottom plate is formed so that there will be a wedging or camming engagement with the blow mold halves, this to assure a snug sealed engagement between the said bottom plate and the halves. The bottom plate 76 is vertically reciprocable and is thrust upwardly to its elevated position for engagement by the blow mold halves by means of an air cylinder 204 (FIG. 15).

When articles of glassware have been formed by blowing in the blow mold cavities, the blow mold halves 74a and 74b are separated to permit the formed articles of glassware to rest upon the two bottom plates. The bottom plates are then lowered by venting the air cylinder 204 to permit the take-out mechanism 88 to move into position over the articles of glassware and to engage them for removal. When the articles are engaged by the take-out mechanism, the bottom plates 76, 76 are lowered still further by at least a slight distance. This prevents scraping of the finished glassware along the bottom plates as the glassware articles are being removed. The means permitting the bottom plates 76, 76 to drop after the take-out mechanism engages the glassware comprises an air cylinder 206 (FIG. 15). Each bottom plate 76 is provided with ports 268, 2&8 and passages 210, 210 (FIG. 12) which are evacuated to provide suction for retaining the glassware articles after the blow molds have been opened.

When the bottom plate is positioned as shown in FIG. 12 and is engaged by the closed blow mold halves, and when the neck ring unit then at the station B is properly located over the blow mold unit, the blow head 86 is lowered to insert the blow nozzles 84, 84 within the parisons that are to be blown. It will be seen in FIG. 12 that the blow nozzles 84, 84 are thrust into the parisons by extending them through the neck ring unit then located at the station B. Means on the blow mold unit engage the tops of the neck ring unit to provide a seal to avoid the escape of air being used to blow the parisons into the final glassware shape.

As has been mentioned, the blow mold arms 114, 114 are provided with air passage means for directing cooling air to the blank molds. More specifically, and as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the angular extensions 190, 190 of the said arms are provided in sufficient vertical dimension to engage the top of the machine cabinet or table 22. An aperture 191 (FIG. 10) is provided in each arm extension 190 to overlie an aperture 193 in the table 22 through which the cooling air is forced. It then travels into the hollow arms 114 to the blank molds as previously described.

Cooling air for the blow molds can also be introduced from the machine table 22. That is, one or more hollow posts 195 (FIGS. 1 and 7) are mounted on the table over apertures therein to receive air and to direct it to the bolw molds. It is not necessary to have cooling air flow at all times and, therefore, doors or gates are provided, as will hereinafter be mentioned, to shut oi the air flow when desired.

Take-out mechanism The take-out mechanism 88 is shown in FIGS. 1, 13 and 14 and it comprises a bracket 214 which is slidable longitudinally on a support and guide rod 216 indirectly supported -by the machine frame. The said bracket and take-out mechanism is movable rearwardly from the position shown in FIG. 1 over the take-away conveyor to a position over the bottom plates 76, 76 between the open blow molds at the station B. When the mechanism is located at the station B, a pair of gripper heads 218, 218 are actuated to grip the tops of the finished articles of glassware and then the take-out mechanism is returned forwardly to its original position over the takeaway conveyor.

The means reciprocating the take-out mechanism forwardly and rearwardly as described comprises an air cylinder 22!) having a piston rod 222 which is connected with the slidable support bracket 214 for the take-out mechanism. Undersirable pivoting movement of the bracket 214 about the axis of the guide rod 216 is prevented by means of a horizontal bar 224 which is supported on the frame and which is engaged by a roller 226 on the bracket 214.

\Vhen the take-out mechanism is moved rearwardly to the station B, its gripper heads 218, 218 are initially located above the glassware articles W, W. The gripper heads are lowered into engagement with the glassware articles by means of an air cylinder and piston unit 228 (FIG. 14) having a vertically depending piston rod 230, and the gripper heads 218, 218 are supported between the furcations of a bifurcated bracket 232 which is secured to the bottom end of the said piston rod. Each gripper head comprises a pair of tongs, there being a front tong 234 and a rear tong 236 in each pair. The two front tongs 234, 234 are interconnected by a link 238 and the two rear tongs 236, 236 are interconnected by a link 240.

All of the said tongs are pivotally supported on pins extending between the furcations of the bifurcated gripper head support bracket 232 and they are interconnected in front and rear pairs by the links 238 and 240 so that they will simultaneously move between the open broken line positions shown in FIG. 13 and the closed full line position shown therein. Movement of the air cylinder piston rod 230 and bracket 232 downwardly causes closing movement of the gripper head tongs while movement upwardly thereof causes opening movement of the said tongs. More specifically, as the air cylinder piston and bracket are moved downwardly, an actuating lever 242 (FIG. 13) is caused to pivot clockwise on its support pin which is secured in the bracket 232 because the said lever engages an adjustably fixed stop 244. By adjusting the stop means 244, the vertical position of the closed tongs can also be adjusted. The amount of clockwise movement of the lever 242 and the downward stroke of the air cylinder piston 230 is limited by engagement of the lever 242 with an upper adjustable stop 246 which moves up and down with the bracket 232. When the lever 242 pivots clockwise as described, one end thereof engages an intermediate lever 248 which thereby pivots the front tongs 234, 234 downwardly. The intermediate lever 248 also engages a bell crank lever 250 which pivots the rear tongs 236, 236 downwardly as the air cylinder piston 230 is lowered.

When air pressure is removed from the air cylinder 228, a pair of springs 252, 252 elevate the piston 230, the bracket 232 and the gripper heads 218, 218. During such upward movement, a spring 254 pivots the bell crank lever 250 counterclockwise which thereby pivots the rear tongs 236, 236 upwardly and outwardly and it also pivots the intermediate lever 248 clockwise to move the front tongs 234 upwardly and outwardly.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that the take-out mechanism 88 is moved by the air cylinder or fluid motor 220 rearwardly to a position over the blow mold station B, then the air cylinder or fluid motor 228 is operated to lower and close the gripper heads on the articles of glassware. Then, the take-out mechanism is moved forwardly by the air cylinder 220 to a position over the take-away conveyor and, finally, the gripper heads are opened and elevated to release the glassware which is then removed by the take-away conveyor.

Operation As has been said, the operation of the machine is timed by rotation of the drum 32. As has also been said, this drum has a plurality of circumaxially and longitudinally spaced dogs 36, 36 adjustably secured thereto to engage and operate valve structure controlling the various fluid motors which operate moving parts of the machine. More specifically, the dogs 36, 36 are located in longitudinally spaced apart annular grooves 300, 300 (FIG. 15) on the control drum 32 so that they may engage and operate individual valves in a valve bank 302 receiving air from a pressurized source S (not shown). The dogs on the control drum are located so as to engage and operate their respective valves so that each machine element controlled thereby will be operated as required to complete a full cycle of machine operation during each complete rotation of the control or timing drum.

In describing this operation, and as a starting point therefor, it should be assumed that the blank and blow mold units and the neck ring units are all located as shown 1 1 in FIG. 2. That is, it is to be assumed that the blank molds are down, the presser head is up, the glass feeding chute is in position over the blank molds and glass charges have been fed thereto. Further, assume that the blow molds are opened and the left-hand neck ring unit is in position spaced slightly above the blow molds and is supporting parisons therefor, that the right-hand neck ring unit is elevated and open in its return movement to the blank molds station, and assume that the take-out mechanism is in position over the take-away conveyor.

At this time, a valve in the bank 302 will be engaged by a dog on the control drum 32 to vent a line or conduit 304 to a control valve 306 which operates the fluid motor 64 for the glass feeder chute sections 54, 54. The control valve 306 is a conventional article of commerce which need not be described in detail and which is shown only schematically in FIG. 15. This valve is connected to the line 304 for movement responsive to pressure therein to one position, and it is provided with a spring for movement to a second or normal position. It is also connected by line 308 to a source of fluid under pressure and by lines 310 and 312 to the fluid motor 64. When pressure is applied to the line 304 to move the valve toward said one position, air under pressure from the source passes through the said valve into the line 312 to the fluid motor 64 whereby to position the chute sections over the blank molds. This is the initial position described in this operation. However, when air pressure is relieved from the line 304, the valve 306 is spring biased to its second position whereby air under pressure from the source is submitted through the line 310 to the fluid motor 64. This returns the feeder chute sections 54, 54 to the broken line position shown in FIG. 2 rearwardly of the blank mold station A.

At about the same time that the chute sections are swung rearwardly, the neck ring unit 66a which is in elevated position over the blow molds is retracted toward the blank molds at the station A. This is accomplished by retracting its associated neck ring transfer mechanism. (Only one neck ring transfer mechanism and one neck ring operating mechanism are shown in FIG. 15, but it will be understood that there is one each of such units provided for each of the neck ring units.) More specifically, a valve in the bank 302 is actuated to cause air under pressure to flow in a line 314 to a control valve *316 for the fluid motor 162 controlling transfer of the right-hand neck ring unit 66a. The control valve 316 is similar to the previously described control valve 306 in that it is a two-position valve moved to one position by fluid under pressure in the line 314 and returned to its normal second position by a self-included spring.

' The said control valve 316 is connected with a line 318 exsure and the control valve placed in its first position as described, fluid under pressure in the line 326 flows to the hydraulic cylinder 162 to retract the neck ring unit 66a from its initial position over the blow mold toward its desired position over the blank mold. At the same time, the line 324 is drained through the control valve 316.

Preferably before the aforesaid retracting movement of the neck ring unit 66a, a valve in the bank 302 is actuated to vent a line 328 to flow to the neck ring opening cylinder 142. When the cylinder 142 is vented, the springs 140, 140 operate to close the neck ring unit 66a which is thereby closed while it is being retracted or moved from the blow mold station toward the blank mold station.

At the same time, or during such movement, a valve in the bank 302 is actuated to vent a line 330 which extends 12 to the air cylinder 178 used to tilt the neck ring unit 66a. When the air is exhausted from the cylinder 178, the neck ring unit returns from the tilted position to the horizontal position as it approaches the blank mold station. In doing so, it passes over the neck ring unit 66b at the blow mold station.

Also, while the neck ring unit 66a is being returned empty to the blank mold station A, the blow molds are closed and the neck ring unit 66b at the blow mold station B is lowered into position on top of the blow mold. In closing the blow molds, a valve in the bank 302 is actuated to cause air under pressure to flow in a line 332 to the air cylinder 206 which lifts the bottom plates 76, 76 at the blow mold station a slight distance. Then, a valve in the bank 302 will introduce air under pressure to a line 334 to the air cylinder 204 which elevates the bottom plates 76, 76 to their uppermost positions.

Immediately after the bottom plates 76, 76 for the blow molds have been completely elevated, a valve in the bank 302 is actuated to cause air under pressure to flow in a line 336 to a control valve 338 which may be identical to the first described control valve 306. The valve 338 is positioned by air under pressure in the line 336 to cause air under pressure to flow through the said valve and a line 340 to the blow mold closing and opening cylinder 200. This causes the said cylinder to move in a direction to effect closing of the blow mold halves 74a and 7411 about the bottom plates 76, 76. When pressure is relieved in the line 336, the control valve 338 is spring biased to a second position whereby fluid under pressure flows in a line 342 to the air cylinder 200 which will open the blow mold halves.

At the time the blow molds are closed, a cooling air stream introduced from a suitable source is directed around the blow mold as was previously mentioned. This can be accomplished by a branch line 344 connected with the line 336 and extending to a pair of air cylinders 346, 346. The air cylinders 346, 346 when subjected to air pressure as described can be used to operate doors or gates 348, 348 which open to permit air flow in the desired manner around and on the blow molds.

Immediately after the blow molds have closed, a valve in the bank 302 is actuated to vent a line 350 which extends to the air cylinder 180 which is maintaining the neck ring unit 66b in a position spaced slightly above the blow mold units. Pressure having been relieved in the cylinder 180, the neck ring unit 66b will drop onto the top of the blow molds. Then, the apparatus at the blow mold station B is ready to receive the blow head 80 for final shaping or forming of the glassware articles.

While the double blow mold unit is being closed and the double neck ring unit 66b is lowered into position thereon to receive the blow head 80, the double blank mold carrier 28 is being elevated to the double neck ring unit 66a to receive the press head 38. This is accomplished by a valve in the bank 302 being actuated to introduce air under pressure in a line 352 to a control valve 354 which controls operation of the air cylinder 30 which raises and lowers the blank mold 28. The control valve 354 may be identical to the first described control valve 306 and it is arranged so that when air under pressure is introduced in the line 352 it is shifted to a first position whereby air under pressure in a line 356 is directed to the air cylinder 30 to raise the blank mold carrier 28. When pressure is dissipated in the line 352, the control valve 354 is spring returned to a normal second position wherein air under pressure in a line 358 is introduced to the cylinder 30 to lower the blank mold carrier 28.

Immediately after the blank mold carrier has been elevated, the valve in the bank 302 is actuated to vent pressure in a line 360 which extends to the two anvil cylinders 108, 108, which thereby spring bias the two side plates or anvils 102, 102 into position to support the blank mold carrier 28 and resist the force and pressure of the press head 38 when it is lowered. With the anvils in place to support the blank mold in the elevated position and with the neck ring unit 66a resting thereon as shown in FIG. 3, all is in readiness for the press head 38 to be lowered. This is done at about the same time that the blow head 80 is lowered to engage the neck ring units 6611 at the blow mold station.

The press head 38 is lowered to press parisons from the glass charges when a valve in the bank 382 is actuated to introduce air under pressure in a line 362. The line 362 extends to the valve 112 which is opened only when the left-hand anvil plate 102 is in place under the blank mold carrier to permit air under pressure to flow therethrough into a line 364. The line or conduit 364 extends to the valve 188 which is associated with the neck ring unit 66a. This valve will be open to permit flow of pressure from the line 364 into a line 366 only if the neck ring unit 66a is in its down position on the blank mold carrier 28. The conduit 366 extends to a control valve 368 which is moved thereby to a first position permitting hydraulic fluid under pressure from the source 328 to flow in a conduit 378. The conduit extends to the top of the press head cylinders 40, 48 whereby to thrust the press head 38 downwardly so that the pressing plungers 44, 44 are inserted within the blank molds as shown in H6. 4 to press the parisons. The control valve 368 is spring biased to a normal second position whereby the hydraulic fluid under pressure flows therethrough into a line 372 extending to the bottom of the press head cylinders 40, 40 to elevate the press head. Thus, normally the press head 38 is retained in the elevated inoperative position. The control valve 368 has a drain line 374 to drain the ends of the cylinders 40, 40 through either of the lines 370 or 372 which is not subjected to hydraulic fluid under pressure. Accordingly, the press head 38 can be moved from its normal position downwardly by operation of the control valve 368 only if the blank mold anvil plates are in position and if the neck ring unit located at the blank mold station is down and in engagement with the blank mold carrier 28.

When the press head is lowered, it is desirable to cool the blank molds through the blow mold support arms as has been described. This is done by a valve in the bank 302 which is operated to introduce air under pressure in a line 375 extending to a pair of air cylinders 3'77, 377. When pressurized, the said air cylinders open a pair of doors or gates 379, 379 to permit air flow into the blow mold support arms.

The blow head 80 is lowered into position at the blow mold station by actuation of a valve in the bank 382 which causes air under pressure to flow in a line 376 to a control valve 378 associated with the said blow head. The control valve 378 is placed in a first position by air under pressure from the line 376 to introduce air under pressure from an independent source to the blow head cylinder 82 which thereby thrusts the blow head nozzles downwardly through the neck ring unit 66b and into the closed blow molds. When the blow head moves downwardly, a valve 388 is opened to permit air from the said independent source to How through the hollow blow head piston 86 and through the nozzles 84 into the blow molds and the parisons to blow the said parisons into the final shape of the glassware defined by the said blow molds. When pressure is released from the line 376, the control valve 378 is spring biased to its normal second position whereby air under pressure from the said independent source flows to the bottom of the blow head air cylinder 82 which starts to elevate the blow head and thereby causing the valve 380 to be closed and to shut off the air which has been used to form the glassware.

The press head and the blow head remain in position respectively to press a pair of parisons and to provide final shape of two articles of glassware for about the same length of time and the said heads are elevated at about the same time.

The blow head is elevated by actuating the valve therefor in the bank 302 to vent the conduit 376. Upon such venting, the control valve 378 assumes its normal spring biased position and air under pressure is introduced to the blow head cylinder 82 to elevate the blow head. As the blow head moves out of the blow mold, the valve controlling the closing of the blow molds is actuated to vent the line 336 which permits the control valve 338 to assume its normal spring biased position so as to introduce air under pressure to the blow mold opening and closing cylinder 200 to open the blow mold halves 74a and 74b by swinging the blow mold arms 114, 114 outwardly. At the same time, the line 375 is vented to shut off the blank mold cooling, and shortly thereafter the line 344 is vented to shut off the blow mold cooling.

Simultaneously with opening of the blow molds, the valve therefor in the bank 382 is actuated to pressurize the conduit 328 extending to the neck ring opening cylinder 142 for the neck ring unit 6612. The neck ring unit 66b is thus opened to release the glassware which then rests upon the bottom plates 76, 76.

Immediately upon opening of the blow molds and opening of the neck ring unit 66b, the said neck ring unit is elevated. This is done by air being introduced under pressure in the line 338 to the tilt cylinder 178. Then, the appropriate valve in the bank 302 is actuated to vent the line 334 extending to the bottom plate elevating cylinder 204-. This releases pressure in the cylinder permitting the bottom plate to drop to the full extent permitted by the cylinder 264. In dropping, the bottom plates retain the articles of glassware in position thereon due to the application of vacuum at the said bottom plates.

After the bottom plates have been lowered as permitted by the air cylinder 204, the take-out mechanism is operated to move into position over the said bottom plates so as to engage and remove the finished glassware. This is accomplished by a valve in the bank 302 which is actuated to introduce air under pressure in a line 382 which leads to the take-out mechanism actuating cylinder 220 whereby to move the take-out mechanism 88 rearwardly. When the take-out mechanism 88 has completed the rearward stroke, the gripper heads 218, 218 are lowered into position to engage the finished glassware as described. This is accomplished by a valve in the bank 302 which introduces air under pressure to a conduit 384 extending to the gripper head operating cylinder 228. The gripper head is thus thrust downwardly and the gripper tongs are closed to engage the finished glassware.

Then, the valve in the bank 302 is actuated to release pressure from the line 332. This releases pressure in the cylinder 206 which permits the bottom plates 76, 76 to drop a slight amount farther. This additional slight drop of the bottom plates clears them from the glassware which they had supported so that the glassware can be moved horizontally forwardly by the take-out mechanism 88 without scraping the tops of the bottom plates. It will be understood, of course, that the vacuum to the bottom plates is released to permit the movement of the glassware.

It will also 'be understood that only a very little time is needed for the take-out mechanism 88 gripper heads to be actuated to grip the glassware after the said mechanism has been positioned over the blow mold and before the said mechanism can :be thrust forwardly to remove the glassware. To provide such time, a restriction 386 is placed between the line 384 and the rear end of the take-out cylinder 220 so that pressure will be building [up at the said rear end of the take-out cylinder while the glass-ware is being gripped. Then, when the line 382 is vented by actuation of the valve connected therewith at the valve bank 302, pressure will be provided in the take-out cylinder 220 to thrust the take-out mechanism over the take-away conveyor. Then, pressure can be released in the line 384 .by its valve at the valve bank 302 to permit the gripper head tongs to open and to 15 permit the gripper head to elevate which will release the finished glassware in position on the take-away conveyor.

As Was mentioned, the press head 38 is elevated at approximately the same time that the blow head 80 is elevated. This is accomplished by releasing the pressure in the line 362 by actuation of its valve in the bank 302 and the pressure is thereby released in the lines 364 and 366 leading to the control valve 368. When the line 366 to the control valve is vented, the said valve returns to its normal spring biased position whereby fluid under pressure flows to the bottom of the press head cylinders 40, 40 so that the press head is elevated while the line 370 at the top of the press head cylinders is drained through the control valve 368.

At the same time, the blank mold carrier 28 is lowered or stripped away from the parisons which have been formed and which are being supported by the neck ring unit 66a. This is accomplished by actuating the valve in the bank 302 to introduce pressure in the line 360 which thereby forces the anvils 102, 102 outwardly by means of the air cylinders 108, 108. Upon moving the anvils 102, 102 outwardly or into inoperative positions, the line 352 is vented at its valve in the bank 302 so that the control valve 354 will assume its spring biased normal position to introduce air under pressure at the top of the blank mold elevating cylinder 30 whereby to lower the blank mold holder 28.

When the press head 38 has been raised and the blank mold carrier 28 lowered, the neck ring unit 66a can be thrust forwardly from the blank mold station A toward the blow mold station B. This, of course, is accomplished by venting the line 314 at its valve in the valve bank 302 which permits the control valve 316 to assume its normal spring biased position. When the valve 31-6 is in its said normal position, hydraulic fluid under pressure is introduced to the line 324 to the slide cylinder 1-62 for the neck ring unit 66a which there-by thrusts the Said neck ring unit forwardly. At substantially the same time, the appropriate valve in the bank 302 is actuated to introduce air under pressure in the line 350 to the cylinder 180 for the neck ring unit 66a which elevates said unit a slight amount so that it can be moved forwardly over the blow molds Without scraping the tops thereof.

As the neck ring unit 66a is moved forwardly, the appropriate valve in the bank 302 is actuated to introduce air under pressure in the line 304 whereby the control valve 306 assumes its position to introduce air under pressure to the line 312 to the cylinder 64. The air cylinder thereby acts to swing the glass feeder chute sections 54, 54 inwardly to operative position over the lowered blank molds in the carrier 28.

When this has been completed, a cycle of operation has been completed wherein the neck ring units 66a and 6611 have been interchanged from their positions initially described.

The invention claimed is:

1. A glassware forming machine having a first or parison forming station and a second or final shaping station which are spaced apart respectively rearwardly and forwardly, said machine comprising means including a blank mold operable at the first station to form a parison, means including a mold at the second station to form finished ware from a parison, means .for supporting a parison at each station and for moving a parison from the first to the second station including a first and a second separable neck ring unit, transfer mechanism operatively associated with each neck ring unit including a plurality of motors for moving the same generally horizontally and rectilinearly from the first to the second station and [for thereafter moving its associated unit upwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to return it to the first station, means for opening and closing the separable neck ring units, and control means operatively associated with said transfer mechanism motors for positioning a neck ring unit at each station and for then interchanging them by the said movement of a neck ring unit from each of the respective stations.

2. A glassware forming machine having a first or parison forming station and a second or final shaping station which are spaced apart respectively rearwardly and for wardly, said machine comprising means including a relatively movable press head and a blank mold operable at the first station to form a parison, means including a relatively movable blow head and a blow mold operable at the second station to form finished ware from a parison, means for supporting a parison at each mold and for moving a parison from the first to the second station including a first and a second separable neck ring unit, transfer mechanism operatively associated with each neck ring unit including a plurality of motors for moving the same generally horizontally and rectilinearly from the first to the second station and for thereafter moving its associated unit upwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to return it to the first station, means for opening and closing the separable neck ring units, and control means operatively associated with said transfer mechanism motors for positioning a neck ring unit at each mold and for then interchanging them by the said movement of a neck ring unit from each of the respective stations.

3. A glassware forming machine having a first or parison forming station and a second or final shaping station which are spaced apart respectively rearwardly and forwardly, said machine comprising means including a pair of blank molds operable at the first station to form parisons, means including a pair of molds at the second station to form finished ware from parisons, means for supporting a pair of parisons in depending upright position and in tandem forwardly and rearwardly spaced apart relationship at each station and for moving them from the first to the second station including a first and a second separable double neck ring unit, transfer mechanism operatively associated with each neck ring unit including a plurality of motors for moving the same generally horizontally and rectilinearly from the first to the second station and for thereafter moving its associated neck ring unit upwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to return it to the first station, means for opening and closing the separable neck ring units, and control means operatively associated with said transfer mechanism motors for positioning a neck ring unit at each station and for then interchanging them by the said movement of a neck ring unit from each of the respective stations.

4. A glassware forming machine having a first or parison forming station and a second or final shaping station which are spaced apart respectively rearwardly and forwardly, said machine comprising means including a relatively movable press head and a plurality of blank molds operable at the first station to form a plurality of parisons, means including a relatively movable blow head and a plurality of blow molds operable at the second station to blow finished ware from parisons, means for supporting a plurality of parisons in depending upright positions at each station and in tandem forwardly and rearwardly spaced relationship and for moving them in this relationship from the first to the second station, said supporting means including a first and a second separable multiple neck ring unit, transfer mechanism operatively associated with each neck ring unit including a plurality of motors for moving the same generally horizontally and rectilinearly from the first to the second station and for thereafter moving its associated neck ring unit upwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to return it to the first station, means for opening and closing the neck ring units, and control means operatively associated with said transfer mechanism motors for positioning a neck ring unit at the blank molds while the other unit is positioned at the blow molds and for then interchanging them by the said movement of a neck ring unit from each of the respective stations.

5. A glassware forming machine having a first or parison forming station and a second or final shaping station which are spaced apart respectively rearwardly and forwardly, said machine comprising means including a blank mold operable at the first station to form a parison, means including a mold at the second station to form finished ware from a parison, means for supporting a parison at each station and for moving a parison from the first to the second station including a first and second separable neck ring unit, transfer mechanism operatively associated with each neck ring unit including a plurality of motors for moving the same generally horizontally and rectilinearly from the first to the second station and for thereafter moving its associated neck ring unit upwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to return it to the first station, means for opening and closing the separable neck ring units, control means operatively associated with said transfer mechanism motors for positioning a neck ring unit at each station and for then interchanging them by the said movement of a neck ring unit from each of the respective stations, and a take-out mechanism including means engageable with finished ware at the second station to remove the said ware only after a neck ring unit has been elevated and the other neck ring unit is not at the second station.

6. A glassware forming machine having a first or parison forming station and a second or final shaping station which are spaced apart respectively rearwardly and forwardly, said machine comprising means including a relatively movable press head and a blank mold operable at the first station to form a parison, means including a relatively movable blow head and a blow mold operable at the second station to form finished ware from a parison, means for supporting a parison at each mold and for moving a parison from the first to the second station including a first and a second separable neck ring unit, transfer mechanism operatively associated with each neck ring unit including a plurality of motors for moving the same generally horizontally and rectilinearly from the first to the second station and for thereafter moving its associated neck ring unit upwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to return it to the first station, means for opening and closing the separable neck ring units, control means operatively associated with said transfer mechanism motors for positioning a neck ring unit at each mold and for then interchanging them by the said movement of a neck ring unit from each of the respective stations, and a take-out mechanism having a gripper head and means for moving the take-out mechanism generally horizontally and rectilinearly from a position forwardly of the second station over finished ware at the second station to engage the ware with its gripper head only after a neck ring unit has been opened and elevated at the second station and while the other neck ring unit is not at the second station, the means for moving the takeout mechanism then being operable to return the takeout mechanism to its initial position with the finished ware.

7. A glassware forming machine having a first or parison forming station and a second or final shaping station which are spaced apart respectively rearwardly and forwardly, said machine comprising means including a relatively movable press head and a plurality of blank molds operable at the first station to form parisons, means including a relatively movable blow head and a plurality of blow molds operable at the second station to form finished ware from parisons, means for supporting parisons at each station in depending upright position and in tandem forwardly and rearwardly spaced relationship and for moving them from the first to the second station including a first and a second separable neck ring unit, transfer mechanism operatively associated with each neck ring unit including a plurality of motors for moving the same generally horizontally and rectilinearly from the first to the second station and for thereafter moving its associated neck ring unit upwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to return it to the first station, means for opening and closing the separable neck ring units, control means operatively associated with said transfer mechanism motors for positioning a neck ring unit at each station and for then interchanging them by the said movement of a neck ring unit from each of the respective stations, and a take-out mechanism having a gripper head and means formoving the take-out mechanism generally horizontally and rectilinearly from a position forwardly of the second station over finished ware at the second station to engage the ware with its gripper head only after a neck ring unit has been opened and elevated at the second station and while the other neck ring unit is not at the second station, the means for moving the take-out mechanism then being operable to return the take-out mechanism to its initial position with the finished ware.

8. A glassware forming machine having a first or parison forming station and a second or final shaping station which are spaced apart respectively rearwardly vand forwardly, said machine comprising means including a relatively movable press head and a blank mold operable at the first station to form a parison, means including a relatively movable blow head and a generally horizontally separable blow mold operable at the second station to form finished ware from a parison, a substantially vertically reciprocable bottom plate associated with the blow mold and which in one position cooperates therewith to define the mold cavity, means for supporting a parison at each mold and for moving a parison from the first to the second station including a first and a second separable neck ring unit, transfer mechanism operatively associated with each neck ring unit including a plurality of motors for moving the same generally horizontally and rectilinearly from the first to the second station and for thereafter moving itsassociated unit upwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to return it to the first station, means for opening and closing the separable neck ring units, control means operatively associated with said transfer mechanism motors for positioning a neck ring unit at each mold and for then interchanging them by the said movement of a neck ring unit from each of the respective stations, and a take-out mechanism having a gripper head and means for moving the take-out mechanism generally horizontally and rectilinearly from a position forwardly of the second station over finished ware supported on said bottom plate at the second station to engage the ware with its gripper head only after the blow mold has been opened and a neck ring unit has been opened and elevated at the second station and while the other neck ring unit is not at the second station, the means for moving the takeout mechanism then being operable to return the take-out mechanism to its initial position with the finished ware.

9. A glassware forming machine having a first or parison forming station and a second or final shaping station which are spaced apart respectively rearwardly and forwardly, said machine comprising means including a relatively vertically movable press head and blank mold at the first station, means including a relatively vertically movable blow head and blow mold at the second station, the tops of the said blank and blow molds residing in substantially the same horizontal plane when positioned to form parisons and finished ware, respectively, and the said blow mold comprising separable halves which are movable substantially horizontally to open and closed positions, means for supporting a parison at each mold and for moving a parison from the first to the second station including a first and a second separable neck ring unit, transfer mechanism operatively associated with each neck ring unit including a plurality of motors for moving the same generally horizontally and rectilinearly from the first to the second station and for thereafter moving its associated neck ring unit upwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to return it to the first station, means for elevating each neck ring unit slightly as it is moved generally horizontally toward the second station so as to avoid engaging the top of the open blow mold, means for opening and closing the neck ring units, and control means operatively associated with the motors of each transfer mechanism for positioning a neck ring unit at each mold and for then interchanging them by the said movement of a neck ring unit from each of the respective stations.

10. A glassware forming machine having a first or parison forming station and a second or final shaping station which are spaced apart respectively rearwardly and forwardly, said machine comprising means including a relatively vertically movable press head and blank mold at the first station, means including a relatively vertically movable blow head and blow mold at the second station, the said blow mold comprising separable halves which are movable substantially horizontally to open and closed positions, an arm extending horizontally forwardly at each side of the blank and blow molds and supporting a half of the blow mold, the said arms being pivotally supported rearwardly of the blank mold for movement to open and to close the blow mold, means for supporting a parison at each mold and for moving a parison from the first to the second station including a first and a second separable neck ring unit, transfer mechanism operatively associated with each neck ring unit including a plurality of motors for moving the same generally horizontally and rectilinearly from the first to the second station and for thereafter moving its associated neck ring unit upwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to return it to the first station, means for opening and closing the neck ring units, and control means operatively associated with the motors of each transfer mechanism for positioning a neck ring uni-t at each mold and for then interchanging them by the said movement of a neck ring unit from each of the respective stations.

11. A glassware forming machine having a first or parison forming station and a second or final shaping station which are spaced apart respectively rearwardly and forwardly, said machine comprising means including a relatively vertically movable press head and blank mold at the first station, means including a relatively vertically movable blow head and blow mold at the second station, the said blow mold comprising separable halves which are movable substantially horizontally to open and closed positions, an arm extending horizontally forwardly at each side of the blank and blow molds and supporting a half of the blow mold, the said arms being pivotally supported rearwardly of the blank mold for movement to open and to close the blow mold, means for supporting a parison at each mold and for moving a parison from the first to the second station including a first and a second separable neck ring unit, transfer mechanism operatively associated with each neck ring unit including a plurality of motors for moving the same generally horizontally and rectilinearly from the first to the second station and for thereafter moving its associated neck ring unit upwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to return it to the first station, means for elevating each neck ring unit slightly as it is moved generally horizontally toward the second station so as to avoid engaging the top of the open blow mold, means for opening and closing the neck ring units, and control means operatively associated with the motors of each transfer mechanism for positioning a neck n'ng unit at each mold and for then interchanging them by the said movement of a neck ring unit from each of the respective stations.

12. A glassware forming machine having a first or parison forming station and a second or final shaping station which are spaced apart respectively rearwardly and forwardly, said machine comprising means including a relatively vertically movable press head and blank mold at the first Station, means including a relatively vertically movable blow head and blow mold at the second station, the said blow mold comprising separaable halves which are movable substantially horizontally to open and closed positions, a substantially vertically reciprocable bottom plate associated with the blow mold and which in one position cooperates therewith to define the mold cavity, an arm extending horizontally forwardly at each side of the blank and blow molds and supporting a half of the blow mold, the said arms being pivotally supported rearwardly of the blank mold for movement to open and to close the blow mold, means for supporting a parison at each mold and for moving a parison from the first to the second station including a first and a second separable neck ring unit, transfer mechanism operatively associated with each neck ring unit including a plurality of motors for moving the same generally horizontally from the first to the second station and for thereafter moving its associated neck ring unit upwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to return it to the first station, means for opening and closing the neck ring units, and control means operatively associated with the motors of each transfer mechanism for positioning a neck ring unit at each mold and for then interchanging them by the said movement of a neck ring unit from each of the respective stations.

13. A glassware forming machine having a first or parison forming station and a second or final shaping station which are spaced apart respectively rearwardly and forwardly, said machine comprising means including a relatively vertically movable press head and blank mold at the first station, means including a relatively vertically movable blow head and blow mold at the second station, the said blow mold comprising separable halves which are movable substantially horizontally to open and closed positions, a substantially vertically reciprocable bottom plate associated with the blow mold and which in one position cooperates therewith to define the mold cavity, an arm extending horizontally forwardly at each side of the blank and blow molds and supporting a half of the blow mold, the said arms being pivotally supported rearwardly of the blank mold for movement to open and to close the blow mold, means for supporting a parison at each mold and for moving a parison from the first to the second station including a first and a second separable neck ring unit, transfer mechanism operatively associated with each neck ring unit including a plurality of motors for moving the same generally horizontally from the first to the second station and for thereafter moving its associated neck ring unit upwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to return it to the first station, means for opening and closing the neck ring units, control means operatively associated with the motors of each transfer mechanism for positioning a neck ring unit at each mold and for then interchanging them by the said movement of a neck ring unit from each of the respective stations, and a take-out mechanism including means for moving it from a position forwardly of the second station to engage ware supported on said bottom plate only when a neck ring has been opened and elevated and when the blow mold is open, the means for moving the take-out mechanism then being operable to return the take-out mechanism to its initial position with the finished ware.

14. A glassware forming machine having a first or parison forming station and a second or final shaping station which are spaced apart respectively rearwardly and forwardly, said machine comprising means including a relatively vertically movable press head and blank mold at the first station, means including a relatively vertically movable blow head and blow mold at the second station, the said blow mold comprising separable halves: which are movable substantially horizontally to open and. closed positions, a substantially vertically reciprocable bottom plate associated with the blow mold and which in one position cooperates therewith to define the mold cavity, an arm extending horizontally forwardly at each side of the blank and blow molds and supporting a half of the blow mold, the said arms being pivotally supported rearwardly of the blank mold for movement to open and to close the blow mold, means for supporting a parison at each mold and for moving a parison from the first to the second station including a first and a second separable neck ring unit, transfer mechanism operatively associated with each neck ring unit including a plurality of motors for moving the same generally horizontally from the first to the second station and for thereafter moving its associated unit upwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to return it to the first station, means for elevating each neck ring slightly as it is moved toward the second station to avoid engaging the top of the open blow mold, means for opening and closing the neck ring units, control means operatively associated with the motors of each transfer mechanism for positioning a neck ring unit at each mold and for then interchanging them by the said movement of a neck ring unit from each of the respective stations, and a take-out mechanism including means for moving it from a position forwardly of the second station to engage ware supported on said bottom plate only when a neck ring has been opened and elevated and when the blow mold is open, the means for moving the take-out mechanism then being operable to return the take-out mechanism to its initial position with the finished ware.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,894,100 1/1933 Kadow 65-355 X 2,018,030 10/1935 ONeill et a1 65239 2,702,444 2/11955 Rowe 65--355 2,984,047 5/1961 Mennitt et a1. 65222 DONALL H. SYLVESTER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A GLASSWARE FORMING MACHINE HAVING A FIRST OR PARISON FORMING STATION AND A SECOND OR FINAL SHAPING STATION WHICH ARE SPACXED APART RESPECTIVELY REARWARDLY AND FORWARDLY, SAID MACHINE COMPRISING MEANS INCLUDING A BLANK MOLD OPERABLE AT THE FIRST STATION TO FORM A PARISON, MEANS INCLUDING A MOLD AT THE SECOND STATION TO FORM FINISHED WARE FROM A PARISON, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A PARISON AT EACH STATION AND FOR MOVING A PARISON FROM THE FIRST TO THE SECOND STATION INCLUDING A FIRST AND A SECOND SEPARABLE NECK RING UNIT, TRANSFER MECHANISM OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH EACH NECK RING UNIT INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF MOTORS FOR MOVING THE SAME GENERALLY HORIZONALLY AND RECTILINEARLY FROM THE FRIST TO THE SECOND STATION AND FOR THEREAFTER MOVING ITS ASSOCIATED UNIT UPWARDLY AND 